Effect of casting solvents on physical properties of hydrogenated styrene-butadiene copolymer

The effect of casting solvents on swelling resistance, crystallinity, dynamic mechanical, and mechanical properties of hydrogenated styrene butadiene copolymer (HSBR) has been investigated. The solvents chosen are cyclohexane, carbon tetrachloride, toluene and chloroform, which cover a range of solubility parameters from 8.2 to 9.3 (cal/cm(3))(1/2). The crystallinity, swelling resistance and mechanical properties are maximum with cyclohexane cast films. The dynamic mechanical properties, tan delta and E', are also influenced by the nature of the solvents. Cyclohexane cast films have the highest values of dynamic modulus. For comparison, compression moulded film has also been studied. The properties of the samples have been correlated with the structure. The properties of the films are also dependent on solvent evaporation rate. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.